The Rundown for August 2, 2018

COURT STRIKES DOWN SANCTUARY CITY ORDER… President Trump’s executive order restricting federal funding to sanctuary cities was struck down by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday. The court ruled in a 2-1 decision that the president could cut off federal funding only if he had congressional approval. The court also found that a previous U.S. District Court decision that blocked the order nationwide “went too far,” and returned it for “reconsideration and further findings.”

TRUMP MOVES TOWARD RAISING CHINA TARIFFS… President Trump has instructed U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to consider raising proposed tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods to 25 percent. The raise would be more than double the 10% tariff hike the administration initially planned. China called the plan “blackmail” and has warned it would retaliate if the U.S. adopts it.

MUELLER WANTS TO INTERVIEW TRUMP… ABC News reported yesterday that Special Counsel Robert Mueller is stepping up his efforts to question President Trump about potential obstruction of justice. Mueller is reportedly willing to limit the scope of questioning and would like to ask questions both orally and in written form. The report comes a week after Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, said that the president would agree to an interview if questioning is confined to collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 elections. Giuliani confirms he has received Mueller’s response and says his team is preparing a counter-proposal.

MANAFORT TRIAL… Prosecutors targeted the spending habits of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort in the second day of his bank fraud and tax-evasion trial yesterday in Alexandria, Virginia. Jurors heard witnesses describe how Manafort paid for expensive real estate, house renovations, clothing and cars using international wire transfers or foreign shell companies. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III has asked prosecutors to move along in their case and they informed him that they might not question Manafort associate Rick Gates, who was considered a key witness.

MICHIGAN GOVERNOR REMOVED FROM FLINT CLASS-ACTION SUIT… Michigan Governor and former mayor of Flint Rick Snyder and six state officials have been removed from the list of defendants in a class-action lawsuit over the Flint water crisis. Yesterday’s ruling by a federal judge was in response to a lawsuit brought by a dozen residents of Flint and three local businesses. U.S. District Judge Judith E. Levy wrote in her ruling that the state of Michigan is entitled to sovereign immunity, and plaintiffs failed to prove Snyder’s culpability. The crises began in 2014 when the City of Flint decided to use pipe water from the Flint River instead of Detroit city water in a cost-cutting move. Water from the Flint River was more corrosive on the pipes and led to evidence of lead poisoning.

ENTERTAINMENTBIG-NAME CAST FOR FOX NEWS FILM… Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie headline a big-name cast being assembled for an untitled movie about the women who took on the systemic abuse that was part of a toxic male culture at Fox News. The women brought down several high-ranking men, including Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes, who was ousted. Theron will take on the role of former host Megyn Kelly, while Kidman will portray Gretchen Carlson. Robbie will play an associate producer at the news network.

ART BELL DIED OF ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE… Authorities in Nevada announced yesterday that the death of former syndicated AM radio host Art Bell on April 13 was the result of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. Bell’s nightly shows in the 1990s featured paranormal themes and conspiracy theories. The coroner said there was no indication of foul play in his death.

SPORTSMLBNL SCORES…Chi. Cubs 9 – PITTSBURGH 2… Cole Hamels (6-9) surrendered three hits over five innings and fanned nine over five innings to win his debut for the Cubs. Wilson Contreras hit a two-run homer. Jason Heyward had three hits and an RBI.

L.A. DODGERS 6 – Milwaukee 4 (10 innings)… Yasmani Grandal’s second homer of the game was a two-run shot in the bottom of the 10th inning and lifted the Dodgers over the Brewers. Brian Dozier also homered for L.A., which moved into a first-place tie with idle Arizona atop the NL West. Milwaukee dropped a game back of the first-place Cubs in the NL Central.

ST. LOUIS 6 – Colorado 3… Yadier Molina lined a two-run double and scored on Marcell Ozuna’s single in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead the Cardinals past the Rockies. Harrison Bader went 3-for-4 and scored twice.

WASHINGTON 5 – N.Y. Mets 3… Tommy Milone (1-0) held the Mets to a run on three hits and struck out nine over seven innings in the Nationals’ win. Anthony Rendon hit a two-run homer. Bryce Harper had a couple of hits, including a run-scoring single.

Miami – ATLANTA (ppd)… Rain in Atlanta forced postponement of yesterday’s Braves-Marlins game. It will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on August 13.

AL SCORES…Baltimore 7 – N.Y. YANKEES 5… Trey Mancini went 3-for-5 with a solo homer and RBI single as the Orioles topped the Yankees. Renato Nunez also had three hits and two RBIs. Tim Beckham stroked a two-run single.

Cleveland 2 – MINNESOTA 0… Carlos Carrasco (13-5) pitched four-hit ball over 7-1/3 innings and struck out 10 before newly acquired Brad Hand completed the Indians’ blanking of the Twins. Rajai Davis stole home in the top of the sixth inning to break a scoreless tie and Yan Gomes singled home Leonys Martin in the ninth.

OAKLAND 8 – Toronto 3… The Athletics cruised past the Blue Jays to complete a season sweep. Jonathan Lucroy went 3-for-4 and drove in four runs. Franklin Barreto smacked a solo homer and doubled home two runs. Sean Manaea (10-7) gave up just a run on five hits over six innings.

Houston 8 – SEATTLE 3… Marwin Gonzalez connected for a pair of solo homers and the Astros also got homers from Max Stassi and Jake Marisnick in ripping the Mariners. Dallas Keuchel (9-9) allowed three runs on eight hits over seven innings.

TAMPA BAY 7 – L.A. Angels 2… Willy Adames singled home a tying run in the bottom of the fourth inning and homered with the bases empty in the sixth as the Rays breezed past the Angels. Jake Bauers added a two-run homer.

Kansas City 10 – CHI. WHITE SOX 5… Alex Gordon gapped a two-run double and homered with a runner aboard as the Royals doubled up on the White Sox. Brett Phillips had two hits and an RBI.

INTERLEAGUE SCORE…DETROIT 7 – Cincinnati 4… Jose Iglesias knocked in three runs with a single and a double, Jim Adduci went 2-for-2 with a solo homer and the Tigers handled the Reds. Detroit used six relievers after starter Mike Fiers was struck in the left shin by a liner from Mason Williams and left the game in the second inning.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS… Ohio State University has placed head football coach Urban Meyer on administrative leave, pending an investigation into a report that he knew about a 2015 domestic violence incident involving former wide receivers coach Zach Smith despite Meyer’s previous denial. Smith was fired July 23 after his abusive past was exposed in a Facebook post by reporter Brett McMurphy. Ryan Day will serve as acting head football coach during the investigation.